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Parkwest Cardiology:
Leaders in Heart Care
The heart of service
Parkwest Medical Center offers a complete continuum of heart care, from disease prevention (including education, exercise, diet and stress management programs) and early detection (through health fairs, cholesterol screenings and blood pressure checks) to diagnosis, treatment, surgery and rehabilitation.
Parkwest Medical Center is a leader in bringing the latest heart care advances to Knoxville. For example, new intravascular ultrasound equipment lets us "see" heart arteries with sound waves. Radiofrequency ablation can correct heart arrhythmias. New drugs open heart arteries that previously required surgery. New treatment technologies include major advances in bypass and heart valve surgery. We have them all at Parkwest.
We don't simply repair hearts. Parkwest has one of the area's largest and most advanced rehabilitation facilities to help patients resume their normal lives after treatment.
Diagnosis -- Recognizing Heart Disease
Today's most effective diagnostic tools include thorough patient histories and physical exams, electrocardiograms, treadmill tests, electrophysiology studies, angiograms, and advanced pressure flow Doppler.
Treatment
We offer the most advanced range of technologies and treatment protocols available in East Tennessee, including:
- Heart bypass surgery
- Angioplasties
- Rotablator procedures to clear blocked arteries without an operation
- Noninvasive techniques such as drug-based therapies and procedures that restore heart function with radio waves
- Pressure flow Doppler
- Drug eluting stent
Types of Treatment
There are four main categories of heart treatment. The approach used depends on the severity of cardiovascular disease.
- Minor heart disease often can be treated with lifestyle changes that reduce risk factors. Stopping smoking, exercising, eating a low-fat diet, losing weight, reducing high blood pressure, minimizing stress and getting regular medical checkups may be all that's required.
- Mild problems often can be treated with medication. Aspirin may be used to prevent clotting and reduce the risk of heart attack. Nitrates may be used to dilate blood vessels and increase the flow of blood to the heart. Calcium channel blockers may be prescribed to relax the blood vessel walls and relieve symptoms of angina. Beta-blockers can reduce the amount of work the heart must do and the amount of oxygen it needs.
Partial blockage is a serious risk for heart attacks. It is usually treated non-surgically, with one of the three types of catheter treatment (the device is inserted through an artery in the leg):
- Angioplasty, which opens the blocked artery with a balloon-type catheter
- A stent, which is a mesh tube holding the artery open
- Rotablator procedures, in which the blockage is emulsified.
Severe blockage usually requires bypass surgery, in which a blood vessel from another part of the body is attached to the heart to allow blood to flow around the blocked section of coronary artery. The latest advance in this field is the new "beating heart" bypass.
Repairing Hearts, Restoring Lives
The Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, located at Fort Sanders West, tailors plans to help each patient achieve and maintain a healthy heart lifestyle.
Individual exercise and diet programs, classes and counseling help patients heal their hearts and stay healthy.
Rehabilitation programs are developed and monitored by cardiac nurses, exercise physiologists, clinical pharmacists, licensed counselors and rehabilitation dietitians in consultation with the patient's physician.
We have an unmatched team and unsurpassed facilities to help heart patients return to normal, full lives after treatment. For more information about our program or to visit, call (865) 531-5560.
More Heart Help
We understand the need for heart patients and their families to feel informed and involved in their care. That's why we offer so many ways to educate individuals about precious heart health.
Fact sheets on hundreds of health topics are available simply by calling (865) 374-PARK. Topics include:
- Decreasing your risk of heart disease
- Early warning of heart attack
- Eating for a healthy heart
- Exercise for making hearts stronger
- Heart attack -- are you at risk?
- Heart transplants
- Cholesterol and heart disease
- High blood pressure and heart disease
- High blood pressure treatments
- Weight loss and heart health
You're not alone
We offer many wellness classes, educational programs and materials to help you make healthy lifestyle changes. These include 50+ Fitness exercise classes, the Get On Track With Missy Kane walking program for all ages, Stop Smoking classes and Heart Healthy Recipes.
Naturally you should turn to your own doctor with any questions about heart care. If you don't have one or you need a referral to a specialist, please call (865) 374-PARK. We'll be glad to give you information about doctors affiliated with Parkwest Medical Center.
Cardiovascular disease: Words to Know
Aneurysm
A balloon-like swelling of a weak spot in a vein or artery.
Angina
The chest pain that occurs when the heart doesn't get as much blood and oxygen as it needs because the heart arteries are blocked. Angina may be accompanied by tightness, burning or squeezing in the chest; difficulty breathing; pain that spreads to the arm, neck, jaw or back; numbness in the shoulders, arms or wrists; nausea, vomiting, or a clammy sensation.
Atrial fibrillation
An irregular heartbeat caused by a malfunction in the sinus node - the heart's natural pacemaker.
Atherosclerosis
A buildup of fatty substances on the inner walls of blood vessels causing narrowing or blockage. This can restrict or stop blood flow.
Congestive heart failure
A condition in which the heart doesn't pump enough blood. Blood may back up in the veins, swelling the feet, ankles and legs. Or fluid may build up in the lungs, causing pulmonary congestion.
Coronary artery disease
Atherosclerosis of the arteries that carry blood to the heart muscle. This is a major risk factor in heart attacks.
Coronary thrombosis
Blood clots that form on the fatty walls of heart arteries and cut off the blood supply to the heart muscle. This is a major risk factor in heart attacks.
Heart attack
A total blockage of a heart artery, which cuts off the blood supply (and, therefore, oxygen to the heart). During a heart attack a part of the heart muscle actually begins to die because of the lack of oxygen. Signs of a heart attack include crushing or squeezing chest pain that lasts more than a few minutes; pain in the arms, neck, back, or jaw; shortness of breath; dizziness; irregular heartbeat; nausea, or vomiting.
Hypertension
High blood pressure. This excess pressure weakens artery walls and decreases their elasticity, forcing the heart to pump harder.
To Your Good Heart Health
There are seven keys to a healthy heart: eat less cholesterol, eat less saturated fat, maintain an ideal body weight, exercise regularly, don't smoke, minimize stress, and have regular checkups.
Stop smoking
If you smoke, quitting could be the most important action you can take to improve your heart's health. Seek help if you need it, but begin quitting right now.
Diet right
To reduce blood cholesterol levels, trim the amount of fat in your diet as well as the cholesterol-heavy foods you eat. If you're overweight, it's also important to reach and maintain an ideal goal. Easier said than done? You can start by seeking help from your doctor or a dietitian.
And remember these general rules:
- Cholesterol intake should be less than 300 milligrams a day.
- Fat calories should be less than 30 percent of total calories consumed.
- Don't eat more than one teaspoon of salt a day.
- Eat no more than six ounces of lean meat, fish or skinless poultry per day.
- Eat five servings of fruit and vegetables every day.
- Eat at least six servings of breads, cereals or grains per day.
- Drink alcohol in moderation. One or two drinks a day may be beneficial, but more can hurt your heart.
Get up and go
Enjoy regular aerobic exercise such as running, swimming, or brisk walking for 30 to 60 minutes three or four times a week. Check with your doctor before starting an exercise routine.
Reduce stress
Stress can increase the chance of heart problems. If you think your reaction to stress may be unhealthy, do something about it. Start by checking with your doctor.
Know your family history
If your parents, grandparents or siblings have had early heart attacks, you may also be at risk. A tendency toward elevated blood cholesterol and triglycerides or high blood pressure can run in a family.
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